Evidence of meeting #133 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was target.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Which G7 country has shown the most progress in reducing carbon emissions over the past number of years?
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Is it a coincidence that the country that seems to be doing the best also uses carbon budgeting?
This is something that we pushed for when it came to the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, and we could not get the Liberals to agree to a carbon budgeting approach, despite its demonstrated effectiveness when it comes to communicating progress to the public, tracking progress over time and holding governments accountable every single year.
This is the last question, Commissioner.
If Canada were to switch to a carbon budgeting approach immediately, would there be any downside? Could we switch to a carbon budgeting approach tomorrow? Would that contribute to getting back on track and accelerating our progress towards 2030?
November 20th, 2024 / 6:25 p.m.
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General
The choice of tools is up to the government, and if it's in legislation, it's also up to parliamentarians in terms of that choice, but—
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General
We've certainly mentioned it in a previous report, because having that annual accountability does have the attractiveness of improving the chances of meeting a target. I believe, if I'm not mistaken, that the U.K. not only sets budgets but has also met their budget the last three times in a row, I believe.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Thank you very much.
This concludes our meeting.
Thank you, Commissioner. It's always a pleasure to have you at the committee. We'll see you again before the holidays to discuss the government's policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you for your comments, your analysis and your encouragement to achieve our goals.
Dear colleagues, we'll see you next Monday.
The meeting is adjourned.